The Kabul Tribune (KT) -- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Monday rejected concerns raised by the secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization about security along Afghanistan’s border with Tajikistan, saying intelligence services in some countries may be spreading false information about Afghanistan.
Mujahid said such information could raise concerns among
neighboring countries and contribute to tensions between Afghanistan and its
neighbors.
“The Taliban have repeatedly stated and emphasized that no
threat to any other country emanates from Afghan territory,” Mujahid said. He
added that Taliban forces have secured Afghanistan and are aware of security
problems in border areas.
His comments came after CSTO Secretary-General Taltatbek
Masdykov expressed concern about the security situation along the
Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.
Masdykov told Russia’s state-run TASS news agency that the
first shipments of weapons and other equipment to strengthen Tajikistan’s
border with Afghanistan are expected to be delivered to Dushanbe this fall.
Russia will play the leading role in supplying the
equipment, he said.
“If, God forbid, something happens there, it will not only
be a problem for Tajikistan, but a problem for all member states of the
organization,” Masdykov said, adding that the situation could also affect other
members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
According to Masdykov, CSTO member states have agreed on a
list of lethal and nonlethal equipment needed by Tajikistan to reinforce the
border.
The equipment will be provided under a “targeted interstate
program” aimed at strengthening Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.
Masdykov called for the border to be reinforced as quickly
as possible, warning that any security incident in the area could have
consequences for other CSTO member states.
The Tajik-Afghan border has remained a security concern for
Tajikistan and its regional allies since the Taliban returned to power in
Afghanistan in August 2021. Tajikistan has not recognized the Taliban
government and has repeatedly expressed concerns about security threats
emanating from Afghanistan.
